Can jack dempseys live with zebra plecos?
Verdict
No
No. Jack dempseys and zebra plecos should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra plecos.
What works
- Both are fine at 79–86°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: jack dempseys the mid, zebra plecos the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Jack Dempsey | Zebra pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–86 °F | 79–88 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 10.0 in | 3.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 55 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Better tank mates for zebra plecos
Questions
Can jack dempseys live with zebra plecos?
No. Jack dempseys and zebra plecos should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra plecos do.
What temperature suits both jack dempseys and zebra plecos?
79–86 °F. Jack dempseys need 72–86 °F, zebra plecos need 79–88 °F.
What size tank do jack dempseys and zebra plecos need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.